Video | Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron: through the lens of an FPV drone pilot

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We gave an Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron to FPV drone pilot Chris Wilkinson for a fresh point-of-view

The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron is the latest in Audi’s fast-growing line-up of all-electric models

With up to 323 miles of range (WLTP), the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron is ideal for big trips and busy lives

Thanks to ultra-rapid 125kW charging, the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron also delivers big boosts of range quickly

The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron’s interior is as plush and high-tech as it is practical

A digital Virtual Cockpit and head-up display put you in the pilot’s seat of the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron

“I’ve always been fascinated by things that fly. Wearing FPV goggles, it’s like you’re in the cockpit”

The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron boasts between 520 and 1490 litres of luggage space for packed shoots

An ‘e-tron’ route planner calculates the best balance of journey time, efficiency and charging

The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron can charge from 5% to 80% in approximately 38 minutes (perfect for lunch)

Equally, the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron can add up to 80 miles in just 10 minutes (barely a coffee run)

“Driving the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron has made me really excited about the future of electric vehicles”

The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron’s advanced driving modes let you pick dynamic or efficient handling

Advanced regenerative braking captures unused energy to extend the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron’s range

Close Promoted by Autocar 8 mins read 22 December 2021 Follow @@autocar Share

Advanced aerial drones have revolutionised filmmaking, offering never-before-seen perspectives that elevate visual storytelling to the next level. Now, first-person-view (FPV) drones are changing the game again, using VR goggles to put the pilot directly in the hot-seat for even-more dynamically thrilling results.

It’s a similar game-changing story with the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron: the latest in Audi’s fast-growing line-up of advanced all-electric e-tron models. It sports up to 323 miles of range (WLTP) and ultra-rapid 125kW charging that delivers big boosts of range in just a few minutes. Equally, its impressive performance and advanced driving tech – including a digital cockpit and fighter-jet-style head-up display – are perfectly complemented by a refined cosseting ride and lots of practical space.

That’s why we gave an Audi Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron to FPV drone pilot Chris Wilkinson: asking him to help us tell the story of the car from a fresh point-of-view, while also finding out if it’s the perfect car for his busy dynamic creative lifestyle.

Learn more about the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron

Perfect for long-haul travel

“I’ve always been fascinated by things that fly,” says Chris. “Before drones existed, I loved the idea of capturing images from above. So, I ended up strapping a camera to a helium balloon! First-person view is an awesome way of flying a drone. Wearing the goggles, it’s like you’re in the cockpit, so it’s much more connected and you tend to capture much more dynamic shots.”

When it comes to working on busy film productions, the range to get you to far-flung locations is everything. The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron’s high-capacity 82kWh (gross capacity) lithium-ion battery boasts a range of up to 323 miles (WLTP) on selected models – with the Audi Q4 Sportback Edition 1 40 e-tron we gave to Chris offering up to 313 miles.

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As the crow (or the drone) flies, that’s the distance from London to Carlisle, giving Chris the confidence to travel to shoots right across the UK.

A choice of advanced driving modes let you pick more dynamic or more efficient power delivery to maximise range. Equally, advanced regenerative braking – which captures unused energy while decelerating to extend your range – can easily be dialled up or down to suit your mood or need.

“We cover around 30,000 miles a year travelling up and down the country, so I’ve been apprehensive about using an electric vehicle,” he says. “I was really impressed with how little the battery depleted after what seems like a lot of driving. Plus, you can conserve energy with the different driving modes, so that’s really handy.”

If you do need to top-up your battery, the option of 125kW ultra-rapid recharging delivers big boosts of range in a short time that fits around your day – whether it’s charging from 5% to 80% in as little as approximately 38 minutes (giving Chris the perfect pause to grab lunch, recharge the drone and check footage and emails), or adding 80 miles in just 10 minutes, letting you grab a coffee to give your creative energy a fresh boost.